1911-style handguns
The Colt Gold Cup is a legendary handgun, even an icon, and well worth its price. If set up for defense loads it is as capable as any 1911 and more so than most. If you are looking for one of the most accurate handguns in the world, and a pistol steeped in history, this is the one.
I am not opposed to the 1911 platform. Most of us can agree there are some gorgeous 1911s. So, why do I own more than a dozen handguns and not a single 1911? One could start by saying I came of age at the same time as the Tupperware guns. Gaston Glock had really gotten his marketing ball rolling when I bought my first handgun in the dawn of the ’90s, but there is more to it than that.
Whether you are a collector or an accumulator, you have an eye for a new gun you simply cannot pass up. There have always been more cheap guns than good ones, but in the ‘Old days’ we knew the difference. While they may not be the latest polymer or new take on an old design, ‘Old School’ guns still have a place the heart of many shooters.
A few years ago, Ruger introduced a well made and nicely finished Government Model 1911 .45 ACP. The SR1911 has earned a reputation as an excellent value for its modest price. But Ruger did not stop there.
The 1911 is easily our most popular handgun, and without a doubt, the most modified. Everyone wants a good trigger, but an accomplished shooter wants a better barrel too. The right barrel, with a custom-grade fitting, ensures the pistol returns to battery in exactly the same place—time after time. After the trigger, this is likely the biggest handgun accuracy enhancer.
Why is the 1911 not only popular but at the top of the heap? Simple. The human engineering behind the pistol has never been bested. The straight to the rear trigger compression, a low bore axis that limits muzzle flip, and excellent hand fit make for a fast and sure handling handgun. The controls, including the slide lock, magazine release, and safety, are within reach without shifting the firing grip. What else could you ask for?
The Coonan really shines as a field and hunting handgun for those that appreciate an instant second shot and the fast handling of the 1911 design. The pistol is fast on target to the first shot, but recoil is such that fast follow-up shots are not in the class with the .45 ACP. And that is ok.
While designed for service use the pistol is suitable for competition and given proper leather, concealed carry. The TRP is a pistol that encourages shooting. You have got to see what it will do and the rewards are there are those willing to master the piece.
The Guardian is what is referred to as a Commander-type pistol. The Guardian features a 4.25-inch barrel and a full-length grip frame. This isn’t a compromise. Instead, it is ideal for concealed carry. The full-size grip allows fast handling. The sight radius is shorter than the 5-inch barrel Government Model, but excellent shooting may be done with the handgun by those that practice. Read the full story to find out why this should be your next pistol.
Before I begin singing the praises of the Springfield EMP 1911, I should say that I have never felt the 9mm 1911 made a lot of sense. It was like putting a six cylinder engine in a Corvette. The 10mm 1911 is like a 454 Chevelle by comparison. However, the Springfield EMP is not an average 1911 9mm.